🏔️ National Park

Things to Do with Kids in Redwood National Park

Explore 40 family-friendly activities in Redwood — filtered by age, scheduled around nap time, and ready to drop into your personalized itinerary.

Top Family Activities

40 of 40 selected
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Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

1.4-mile loop through old-growth redwoods. Flat, well-maintained trail with minimal elevation gain. Stroller-friendly wi...

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Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Main visitor center for Redwood National Park located near Orick. Features exhibits on redwood ecology, wildlife, and Na...

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Junior Ranger Program

Half DayAges 412+Stroller OK

Kids ages 4–12 complete activity booklets to earn an official Junior Ranger badge and certificate. Booklets available fr...

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Big Tree Wayside Trail

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

0.3-mile loop to one of the largest redwood trees accessible by a short, paved path. Extremely family-friendly and strol...

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Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway Drive

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

10-mile scenic drive through old-growth Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. No trucks allowed. Multiple pullouts for phot...

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Elk Meadow Wildlife Viewing

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Pull off at Elk Meadow Day Use Area along US-101 near Orick to spot the famous Roosevelt elk herd. A large herd frequent...

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Fern Canyon Trail

1–2 hoursAges 412+

0.7-mile loop through a dramatic canyon with 50-foot walls covered in ferns. Featured in Jurassic Park 2. Wet and rocky ...

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Gold Bluffs Beach Walk

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Wide, wild Pacific beach backed by bluffs and forest. Flat, hard-packed sand for easy walking. Stroller-friendly on firm...

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Prairie Creek Redwoods Visitor Center

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Small but charming visitor center in Prairie Creek Redwoods SP. Exhibits on local wildlife and redwood ecology. Junior R...

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Howland Hill Road Scenic Drive

1–2 hoursAges 012+

7-mile unpaved (but graded) narrow road through Jedediah Smith Redwoods. Passes through some of the most magnificent old...

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Stout Memorial Grove Trail

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

0.5-mile loop through one of the finest old-growth groves in Jedediah Smith Redwoods. Flat, dirt path through towering t...

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Hiouchi Visitor Center

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Located near the Smith River and Jedediah Smith Redwoods. Features exhibits, ranger programs, and a bookstore. Junior Ra...

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Simpson-Reed Trail (Jedediah Smith)

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

0.75-mile loop through spectacular old-growth redwoods near the Smith River. Nearly flat trail on a compacted surface. S...

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Crescent City Beach & Beachfront Walk

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Walk along the crescent-shaped beach in Crescent City with views of Battery Point Lighthouse. Flat, firm sand is strolle...

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Battery Point Lighthouse Tour

under_1hAges 412+

Walk across a tidal causeway at low tide to tour one of California's oldest lighthouses. Fascinating for kids who love h...

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Enderts Beach Trail & Tidepools

1–2 hoursAges 412+

1.3-mile round-trip trail descending to a secluded beach with excellent tidepools. Moderate descent with some steps — no...

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Crescent Beach Overlook & Picnic Area

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Pull-off overlook with a short paved path to stunning views of Crescent Beach and the Pacific. Stroller-accessible on th...

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Ranger-Led Redwood Walk

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free ranger-guided walks through old-growth redwood groves. Rangers share fascinating stories about the trees, wildlife,...

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Campfire / Evening Ranger Program

1–2 hoursAges 012+

Evening campfire programs at Jedediah Smith or Elk Prairie Campground amphitheaters. Rangers present talks on redwood ec...

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Family Camping at Elk Prairie Campground

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Well-maintained campground inside Prairie Creek Redwoods with sites surrounded by giant redwoods. Flush toilets, running...

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Family Camping at Jedediah Smith Campground

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Beautiful campground on the banks of the Smith River surrounded by old-growth redwoods. Flush toilets and running water....

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Smith River Wading & Swimming

2–4 hoursAges 312+

The crystal-clear, emerald-green Smith River is one of the cleanest rivers in the US. In summer, calm sections near Jede...

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Trillium Falls Trail

1–2 hoursAges 412+

2.8-mile loop through old-growth redwoods to a scenic 10-foot waterfall. Moderate terrain with some root-covered section...

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Damnation Creek Trail Viewpoints

2–4 hoursAges 812+

4.4 miles round-trip with 1,000+ ft elevation change — challenging for young kids but rewarding with ocean views and old...

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Coastal Drive Loop (Scenic Car Drive)

1–2 hoursAges 012+

8-mile one-way unpaved coastal road with sweeping Pacific Ocean views, old-growth forest glimpses, and meadows. Narrow, ...

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Klamath River Overlook

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

One of the best coastal viewpoints in Redwood National Park. Short paved path from parking area to cliff overlooks where...

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Trees of Mystery (Gondola Ride & Trail)

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Private attraction adjacent to the park in Klamath. Features a gondola ride over old-growth redwoods, a self-guided fore...

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Redwood Creek Trail (Day Use Section)

2–4 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

Flat gravel trail along Redwood Creek through some of the tallest trees on Earth. Family-friendly day hike of 2–4 miles ...

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Tall Trees Grove Shuttle Hike

Half DayAges 612+

Access requires a free permit and gate combination obtained from Kuchel Visitor Center. 3.4-mile round-trip hike to the ...

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Whale Watching from Klamath River Overlook

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

December through April is peak gray whale migration season along the Redwood Coast. The Klamath River Overlook is one of...

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Banana Slug Nature Hunt

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Kids-favorite activity throughout the park's forested trails. Look under ferns and logs for the iconic bright yellow ban...

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Bird Watching at Orick Marsh & Lagoon

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

The Freshwater Lagoon and adjacent marsh near Orick are outstanding birding locations. Look for ducks, herons, egrets, c...

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Family Nature Photography Walk

1–2 hoursAges 412+Stroller OK

Give kids a camera or phone to photograph redwood details — bark textures, ferns, light rays through the canopy, slugs, ...

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Picnic at Freshwater Lagoon

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Large, flat gravel beach on the shores of Freshwater Lagoon just south of Orick on US-101. Popular for picnicking, kite ...

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Del Norte County Historical Society Museum

1–2 hoursAges 412+Stroller OK

Small local museum in Crescent City covering Yurok, Tolowa, and Karuk Native cultures alongside local logging and mariti...

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Redwood Park & Picnic in Crescent City

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Beachfront park in Crescent City with picnic tables, a playground, restrooms, and ocean views. Great for kids to burn en...

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Yurok Loop Trail

1–2 hoursAges 412+

1-mile loop along the Klamath River near Requa with riparian forest and Yurok cultural history. Interpretive signs expla...

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Native Plant Interpretive Garden Walk

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Self-guided walk around the native plant garden near Kuchel Visitor Center. Labeled plants include redwood, ferns, and c...

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Roosevelt Elk Viewing at Gold Bluffs Beach

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

The meadows behind Gold Bluffs Beach frequently host large groups of Roosevelt elk year-round. View from your car or fro...

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Prairie Creek Nature Trail (Rhododendron Trail)

1–2 hoursAges 212+

Easy 1-mile interpretive loop near Prairie Creek Visitor Center through ferns, redwoods, and wild rhododendrons (peak bl...

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Packing Tips for Redwood
  • Sunscreen & hats for outdoor activities
  • Comfortable walking shoes for the whole family
  • Stroller or baby carrier
  • Snacks & water bottles
  • Rain jacket or poncho (just in case)
  • Small first-aid kit with band-aids
  • Entertainment for transit (books, tablet, coloring)
  • Hiking gear & bug spray
Get a full personalized packing list when you plan your trip.
Sample Family Itinerary
Day 1 — Explore
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Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail
1–2 hours
🍕
Lunch Break
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Junior Ranger Program
Half Day
Day 2 — Adventure
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Family Camping at Elk Prairie Campground
Full Day
Build Your Custom Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do with kids in Redwood?

Top family activities include Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail, Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center, Junior Ranger Program, Big Tree Wayside Trail, Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway Drive. Toddler Trip curates age-appropriate activities and builds nap-aware itineraries for your family.

Is Redwood good for toddlers?

Yes! Many activities in Redwood are suitable for toddlers. Toddler Trip filters activities by your children's ages and schedules around nap time so everyone enjoys the trip.

How do I plan a family trip to Redwood?

Use Toddler Trip's free planner: enter your family profile, pick from AI-curated activities, and get a nap-aware day-by-day itinerary with a personalized packing list — all in about 5 minutes.

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